I could feel it coming on.“You’re not sick, are you?” my aunt jokingly greeted with caution: “I don’t want to kiss sick people.” Perhaps there’s wisdom in that.“Not yet…”I had to drive my dad to the annual Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) party, as he didn’t look fit to drive. He’s been awfully sick for the past couple days. Anais went to bed with pink eye, which she may have contracted from her youngest son. All three of the kids are always “mocosos,” as my parents like to say, meaning that they’re always dripping with snot. House rules for the kids include this little doozy: Boogers go in napkins. Needless to say, I’m sure, not all boogers make it. This house is a danger zone. So I was hardly surprised when I awoke this Christmas morning with a sore throat. Is that all? Could it be worse? I sent my niece with a message for Abuela Marta: “Tio Gio tiene gripe.” (I have a cold)Maybe it’s that I’m surrounded by sick people. Maybe it’s that I stayed up late watching the TBS Christmas Story marathon and episodes of WWE Monday Night Raw while my sisters built a gingerbread house in the kitchen. Whatever the cause, I was under the weather. Amy came in singing “Gangsta’s Paradise” to get me out of bed (old brother-sister tradition) with her new husband, Brandon. He had a more direct approach: perhaps inspired by last night’s yuletide wrestling, he flipped the mattress and I flew across the room (so this is what it’s like to have a big brother…) I sent Amy off with the same message for my mom. Neither message was delivered. My dad had pink eye now and half the humans in this house would rather stay in bed to recover their health, but there were little ones who couldn’t wait to open presents. When I finally rolled out of bed, I went to find my mom. She gave me a spoonful of cod liver oil – I held my breath, but little did I know the taste would come back to haunt me - another of honey, and finally a cup of orange juice.Then it was time to exchange gifts.

Truth be told, I didn’t have much to give. Without a conventional job or other source of steady income, I’ve scraped by and I hardly have spare funds to spend on myself. I keep my expenses low and elevate instead a simple lifestyle, but I still can’t afford to splurge on holiday giving – so my gifts were all freegan. I’m not sure that my family understands why I am a freegan or what it means to me. But I hope that they at least understand that what I’ve given them today I’ve do so with love and a generous heart – and the taste of fish every time I burp.

With this same spirit, I want to offer to all a FREE download of my Christmas album, A Light Has Dawned. You can get it now, for a limited time, on NoiseTrade. Thank you for your love and support throughout this year. I look forward to writing and creating for you, for God, and for baby Jesus all through the next.

And I wish you all a very joyous, peaceful, and healthful holiday season.